Carshalton’s Harry Aikines- Aryeetey will be passing the Olympic baton in the men’s 4x100m relay in Rio today.
The 27-year-old, who was ruled out of London 2012 with a torn hamstring, features with Team GB in the first round at 3:20pm.
The team will be out to win and progress to the finals, and if they do they’ll be racing again on Saturday at 2:15am for an Olympic gold.
Based at Sutton & District Athletics Club, Aikines-Aryeetey has been working under new coach Benke Blomkvist from Sweden after his bad luck leading up to London 2012.
Aikines-Aryeetey said: “This time around we have a plan that is working out for me and considering the circumstances, the last few seasons have gone okay.
“There is more of a holistic approach with Benke. It’s more about my happiness and confidence.
“If I have these things, I know I can and will be a threat to anyone.
“It’s how you apply yourself off the track that makes a difference, and that is what I’m focussing on.”
The sprinter won gold at the 2014 Zurich European Championships in the 4x100m relay, as well as his first senior individual medal when he won a bronze in the 100m.
He was also double World Youth Champion in 2005 and was awarded the ‘Rising Star of the Year’ award by the IAAF and the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award.
